Experts warn against sexting on Valentine's Day

Forget flowers, chocolates and candlelit dinners - "sexting" is emerging as a top gift for many Australians this Valentine's Day.

More than a third of Australians plan to mark the most romantic day of the year with a "sext", according to research by online security company McAfee, sending sexy or romantic photos to their lover via email, text and social media.

However bare-all beloveds are being warned against the practice, with one fifth of people surveyed saying they later regretted sending intimate content to their partners.

Ten per cent of respondents in McAfee's Love, Relationships, and Technology survey said they had had personal content leaked to others without their consent, while one in 20 said they had threatened to expose risque photos of their ex partners online, most commonly because they had been dumped, cheated on or lied to.

Thirteen percent of those who blackmailed their ex said they did so because they had called off a wedding, while a further 13 per cent cited their partner posting pictures online showing them with someone else.

More than 50 per cent of Australians have used their smartphone to send personal or intimate text messages, emails or photos.

Sean Duca of McAfee Asia Pacific said a seemingly secure relationship was no guarantee of privacy, particularly in the event of a breakup.

"Sharing personal and intimate information may seem like harmless fun to many Australians but it's important they realise that once a private message or photo is out of their hands, they can't control where it goes or who sees it,'' Mr Duca said.

"It's clear that many people feel comfortable sharing private information and passwords with their partners, but they also need to consider the risks involved in doing so, and that if those relationships end, their information can end up in the wrong hands.''